Improvement in seals for locks



UNITED STATES PATENTLOEEICE.

lFRANKLIN W. BROOKS, OE NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD J. BROOKS, OE SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEALS FOR LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 141,110, dated July 22, 1873; application filed June 18, 1873.

To all ywhen?. it may concern Be it known that I, FRANKLIN W. BROOKS, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Seals for Locks, of which the following is a specification:

This invention consists in producing seals for locks by the combination of a transparent frangible material, such as glass, and a thin fibrous material, such as paper, the paper having numbers, names, initials, or any private or other marks printed or otherwise placed upon it, and being applied behind or beneath the glass, the latter serving to protect the paper seal, and having to be broken before the seal can be removed or access had to the lock. It is preferable to have the paper seal cemented or otherwise connected to the glass, so that the breaking of the latter will destroy the entire seal.

In the accompanying drawing are seven per spective views of seal-protectors, illustrating the invention under various 'inodiiications Figure vl is intended t0 represent a scal-pro tector of glass having on its front surface colored characters formed in relief. These characters are indicated by the light letters and numerals, and may be produced by etching down the glass from a surface of the required color-red, for examplethe desired marks being first made on the surface with a varnish which will resist the acid. The black marks in same figure are intended to be in intaglio, being produced by the application to the back of the glass of a suitable pigment adapted to fuse at about the same temperature as glass, or a little lower, and may be of suitable material to form a iiux, which is then burned into the substance of the glass.

Fig. 2 is intended to represent the letters and numerals formed in relief, preferably in color, on the back of the glass, and the intaglio black marks burned into the back of the glass, as before. A

Fig. 3 shows both the letters and numerals and irregular marks applied in relief to the front Surface, 'a piece of plain paper being .cemented to the back of the glass, for the reception of a signature or other distinguishing marks.

Fig. 4 is similar to the illustration given in Fig. l, with paper seal cemented to the back.

Fig. 5 represents irregular marks, preferably colored, produced in relief on the front surface, and printed marks on the paper seal, which iscemented to the back.

Fig. 6 is intended to represent letters and numerals in relief, and irregular marks in intaglio in the glass, on either or both surfaces, and a printed paper seal cemented to the back.

Fig. 7 shows a printed paper seal cemented to the back of a protector of plain glass.

In using my invention, the paper seal, bearing any desired private or other marks, may be kept apart from the glass until about to be applied to the lock. It may be marked when about to be used, as an additional means of security. It is cemented to the back ofthe glass, so that the marks will show through, and the seal is applied to a seal-lock adapted to receive it. Various modes of constructing such locks being well known, I deem any specific description of a lock unnecessary. When the lock is to be opened the glass is broken, and this destroys the paper seal, which is securely cemented to it.

The glass seal-protectors representedin Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, are supplied at wholesale by, the manufacturer to the government agents, railway or express companiesLor other consumers, ready for use.

If the paper seal is not united with the glass until it is to be applied to the lock, the variegated or other distinguishing marks on both glass andpaper produce combinations which cannot be known or ascertained until the parts are put together, and the combined seal and 'protector applied by the duly authorized party.

The use of two colors in the glass protector, or in the combined seal and protector, prevents counterfeiting the same by photography; but the characters and marks may be copied by photography to keep a record ot' them, suitable notes of the colors being made.

The paper cemented to the back of a sealprotector of glass or other transparent mate- 2 lllLli() rial affords a surface on wheh theuser may place his signature or other' private mark with a pen.

I am aware that it is common to Write on seals of paper, parchment, and like material; but I am not aware that a transparent or frangible protector has before been combined With a seal adapted to be Written upon.

The following is claimed as new:

The combination of a transparent or semitransparent protector with a paper seal for locks, substantially as herein described, for the purposes stated.

To the above specification of my improvements in seals for locks I hereunto set my hand this 12th day of June, 1873. n

FRANKLIN W. BROOKS.

Witnesses:

OGTAVIUs KNIGHT, WALTER ALLEN. 

